It's affecting more than just my ears

[horsewhispere]

Hi all,

Special welcome to those who have just come on here, and many thanks for your feedback. Well I'll drone on a bit more but will try not to bore you and give you my life story. But this may be relevant for a few that are suffering tinnitus..especially PT.

It doesn't help my PT as I also have anxiety and depression from a period in my life that was traumatic many years ago.....but big deal!..loads of poor souls have this, so medication helps me deal with that and 90% of the time I enjoy life to the full. However, a few months ago I woke up in a panic and bathed in perspiration....then everything went haywire. I had a panic attack and everything got out of control. At one stage I considered call an ambulance - we live in a small village and the medics and their ambulance is just up the road. - I managed to get my heart rate down and took a diazepam to calm me. I'm now looking for a decent psychologist that treats anxiety etc....saw the doctor who gave me Propranalol. I don't usually tell people this but I'm a recovering alcoholic of nearly 40 years (I hope there'll be a few years more too!) so am loathe to keep swallowing tranquillisers. But what has developed is a trigger effect/Groundhog Day scenario. I've had several panic attacks triggered by the thumping in my head when I wake up.

So there we are...oh I'm nearly 72, but I like to think a young 72! No court shoes, walking stick or long skirt....YET!....stopped riding last year. I'm bloody sick of this PT and it's making my life a misery so I really sympathise with you all. But just for today I'm going to enjoy it the best that I can, and I wish you all a very happy day.xxx

[Happyrosie]

exactly, horsewhispere - enjoy what you can!

[sixapple]

Hello Horsewhisperer - we have so much in common.... I have had PT since January this year - I have had scans and consulted with specialists but have not been able to find the underlying cause - I have now run out of options - facing the rest of my life with this wretched condition fills me with dread - I feel now that I need to find the right medication to help me cope - I also wake up in the night with a panic attacks - heart racing - it is scary - blood pressure high in the mornings - feeling low - I think it is my body's reaction to the PT - I know everyone is different but I was interested in the combination of Diazepam and Propranalol - can you take this medication every day - long term? - kind regards

[horsewhispere in reply to sixapple]

Hi sixapple,....the panic attacks, racing heart and high blood pressure are more than likely the result of PT.....it's difficult to explain but sometimes the noise I get is like 'tinny' rhythmic banging...the sort you hear at times on a building site! Well of course when I hear it my heart races a bit then everything gets out of control then I end up a terrified sweaty mess! I get whistling in my other ear for good measure.

Re the propranalol....I always have these at hand and they're prescribed by the doctor....to get a proper understand of what they are I suggest you look them up. But basically they slow the heart slightly and block the adrenaline which is what feeds the 'fight or flight' mode from caveman times! I'm a bit of an anxious person anyway. I take 40mg twice a day..morning and evening. It's a low dosage. Higher doses are more for people with heart problems. It's better to ask your GP. As for the Diazepam I don't take that many as they're addictive, but they help on occasion when I can't sleep and all else fails! But that's something your doctor might not want you to have. He might let you have a few..but they're reluctant to prescribe them. Propranalol aren't addictive and nine times out of ten they do the trick. Let me know how you get on.....your physio is expensive isn't it? But if you get satisfaction from it then it's worth it.